Marion town meeting again says no to pumper truck

MARION — For the second year in a row, Town Meeting voters rejected buying a Fire Department pumper truck for $540,000.

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By MICHAEL J. DECICCO

southcoasttoday.com

By MICHAEL J. DECICCO

Posted May. 13, 2014 at 12:30 AM
Updated May 13, 2014 at 5:49 AM

By MICHAEL J. DECICCO

Posted May. 13, 2014 at 12:30 AM
Updated May 13, 2014 at 5:49 AM

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MARION — For the second year in a row, Town Meeting voters rejected buying a Fire Department pumper truck for $540,000.

The article failed to pass after the Finance Committee recommended against it, as it had done last year.

"The facts that alarm include trade-in values, which have been a moving target," Committee member Jeff Dickerson said. "When they move like that, it's time to find out more. We need to be smart in spending our money."

"The process is now in its second town meeting," Selectman Jonathan Henry responded. "We have a range of figures, and that's all we've had in the past. The price is in keeping with similar trucks. We feel enough has been accumulated to make a decision."

Fire officials have said the present vehicle, a 1999 Pierce pumper, holds a 1,000-gallon water tank, two sizes larger than on the department's other truck and has a long maintenance history. It is top-heavy and hard to maneuver down Marion's narrower streets, and has broken down on its way to fire emergencies.

Voters, however, agreed with Finance Committee Chairman Alan Minard who said a more precise price can be calculated from the state bid list. A subcommittee needs to be formed to discuss it further, he said.

Voters also defeated a $12,500 request to combat invasive species with herbicides at Sprague's Cove.

Conservation Commission member Norman Hills said the invasives are crowding out the native plants in the cove.

The negative vote came as the majority of speakers questioned what one voter called the "carpet bombing" of the cove.

The town meeting's positive votes included a $19.9 million FY2015 budget, a 2.27 percent increase over the current year. Minard said the town is in strong financial shape and was able to balance the budget with available free cash.

Voters also appropriated $34,791 for a new police cruiser and $200,000 for a new stabilization fund created to cover sudden spikes in School Department and special education costs.

Other town meeting approvals included $1.5 million to design and construct a new water tower at Great Hills; $46,500 for engineering services to begin planning a new Department of Public Works building; and $66,000 to replace the Marion Music Hall roof.